Compression massage boot

ABSTRACT

A device to impart pressure to a human appendage to provide a massage like effect has an adjustable outer shell encasing a pneumatic gland. The gland has a series of inward flexible tips, and is supplied with intermittent gaseous pressure. Suitable valve and pressurization means pulsate the gland.

United States Patent 1 1 Harris et a1.

1 1 COMPRESSION MASSAGE BOOT [76] Inventors: Stephen W. Harris, Box 147,

Ranchester, 82839; Clyde A. Praye, 305 1/2 State St., Rawlings, both of Wyo. 82301 [22] Filed: Aug. 23, 1974 [21] App1.N0.:500,120

[52] U.S. Cl. t. 128/64; 128/25 B; 128/582 [51] Int. Cl A6lh 7/00 [58] Field of Search A. 128/24 R, 25 B, 60, 64, 128/299, DIG, 20, 582, 166

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,939,386 12/1933 Canon 128/24 R 2,531,074 11/1950 Miller l28/D1G. 20

1 June 10, 1975 2,694,395 11/1954 Brown .1 128/154 3,028,857 4/1962 Parker..... 3,548,809 12/1970 Conti 128/24 R FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 867,585 2/1953 Germany Primary ExaminerLawrence W. Trapp Attorney, Agent, or Firm-R0bert G. McMorrow [57] ABSTRACT A device to impart pressure to a human appendage to provide a massage like effect has an adjustable outer shell encasing a pneumatic gland. The gland has a series of inward flexible tips. and is supplied with intermittent gaseous pressure. Suitable valve and pressurization means pulsate the gland.

6 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures COMPRESSION MASSAGE BOOT BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Patent No. Patentee Issue Date 438,93l Martinot Oct. 2], i890 2,400,023 Potter May 7, 1946 2,582,648 Mowbruy Jan. l5, I952 3,410,004 Finn Nov. 12, 1968 3,469,576 Smith et al Sept. 30. 1969 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In the provision of treatments for fatigue, muscular disorders, and in the alleviation of pains occasioned by tiring of body extremities such as the feet, massage has long been recognized as a relieving and pleasant means of treatment. Recent developments in this field include the application of intermittent pressures to afflicted areas, such treatments often being described as zone therapy, compression massage, and the like. The present invention provides a self-administering means for application of this treatment to human appendages such as the feet more particularly to a foot massage boot of pneumatic operation.

The boot is provided with means to intermittently apply pressure to the feet, and further has massage tips arranged to contact the foot to stimulate circulation and enhance the action of the boot.

The device is of uncomplicated construction and is inexpensive to manufacture and sell.

Other and further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from a consideration of the following specification when read in conjunction with the annexed drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a compression massage boot assembly according to this invention as employed;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view, partially broken away, of one of the boots of the assembly;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged longitudinal cross-section through one of the boots; and

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view, on further enlarged scale, showing details.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT:

Referring to the drawing in more detail, a boot assembly within the teachings of this invention is shown in assembled operating position in FIG. I, and is therein identified by reference numeral I0. The assembly includes boots l2 and 14, one for each foot of the user.

Each of the boots is identical but of opposite hand form and a description of one will suffice for the other. Each boot comprises an outer shell or casing 16 formed of a semi-rigid material such as leather, heavy plastic, or the like. The casing includes an inner surface 18 and an outer surface 20, and is of sock-like form having a top rim 22. The shell or casing further has an over flap 24, and is slit at 26. The slit and flap arrangement is for adjustment of the diameter of the ankle opening defined by the rim 22, and strips 28, 30 of material having interfltting hook-like projections are applied to the respective faces of the flap and to the surface 20 to permit changeable fastening of the flap relative to the surface. Such material is preferably of the type sold under the trademark VELCRO.

A flexible gland 32 is conformably fitted within the shell, each such gland being of relatively thin plastic, rubber, or other flexible material, and comprising inner and outer panels 34, 36 joined integrally by a circumferential edge connecting portion 38.

The inner panel 34 has an inside surface 40 from which a continuous series of integrally fomied, inwardly directed stub tips 42 extend into contact with the foot F. Such tips comprise massage pressure points, as appears below.

Means is provided to intermittently inflate and pressurize the glands 34. As shown in FIG. 1, the means includes a pump P of any suitable type. Extending from the output of the pump P is a gaseous supply line 44. The line 44 has a P or Y fitting 46 at its discharge end with dual output branches 48 and 50. The branches in turn extend to relief valves 52, 54 which are set to exhaust at a predetermined pressure level. Downstream of the valves 52 and 54 are input lines 56, 58. These lines are secured in fluid communication with nipples which extend through the shells 16 and panels 36 to admit air or other gaseous pressure through the shell and into the gland panels.

As is evident from the foregoing, actuation of the pump P results in continuous inflation and deflation of the gland to impart, through the tips, a massage like action to the feet or other appendage.

We claim:

1. A compression massage boot for application to a human appendage, the boot comprising:

an outer shell formed of semi-rigid material and having a main chamber section and a sleeve section;

the sleeve section having an overlap portion with adjustable fastener means thereon whereby the sleeve section is adjustable in diameter;

the outer shell having an inner surface and an outer surface;

a flexible gland conformably fitted within the outer shell, the gland having an inner panel and an outer panel, said inner and outer panels being joined by edge connecting portions;

the inner panel including an inside surface; and

a plurality of stub tips formed of flexible material projecting inwardly on the inside surface of the inner panel to contact the appendage.

2. The invention of claim 1, and:

an inlet valve extending through said outer shell to admit gaseous pressure between the panels of the gland.

3. The invention of claim 2, and:

means intermittently supplying gaseous pressure to said inlet valve.

4. The invention of claim 3, wherein: the means is provided with a pressure relief valve.

5. The invention of claim 4, and: a gaseous pump operatively associated with said means.

6. The invention of claim 4, wherein: a pair of said boots are provided; and the pump is connected to each of said boots. 

1. A compression massage boot for application to a human appendage, the boot comprising: an outer shell formed of semi-rigid material and having a main chamber section and a sleeve section; the sleeve section having an overlap portion with adjustable fastener means thereon whereby the sleeve section is adjustable in diameter; the outer shell having an inner surface and an outer surface; a flexible gland conformably fitted within the outer shell, the gland having an inner panel and an outer panel, said inner and outer panels being joined by edge connecting portions; the inner panel including an inside surface; and a plurality of stub tips formed of flexible material projecting inwardly on the inside surface of the inner panel to contact the appendage.
 2. The invention of claim 1, and: an inlet valve extending through said outer shell to admit gaseous pressure between the panels of the gland.
 3. The invention of claim 2, and: means intermittently supplying gaseous pressure to said inlet valve.
 4. The invention of claim 3, wherein: the means is provided with a pressure relief valve.
 5. The invention of claim 4, and: a gaseous pump operatively associated with said means.
 6. The invention of claim 4, wherein: a pair of said boots are provided; and the pump is connected to each of said boots. 